UPDATED: March BOS Meeting, COVID-19 Updates, Six Year Road Plan, Growing Our Economy, Route 60 Study, and Budget Meetings and Taxes

We had a very productive March 9, 2020 Board of Supervisors’ meeting. Below are some of the highlights. If you need more information about a topic, please contact me.

• Regarding the VDOT Six Year Improvement Plan, we proposed preliminary adding Avon Road, Pembleton Road, Old Fort Road, Hill Top Road and Plantation Road to the plan for surface treatment. Hunters Road and Red Road (the second half, last mile closest to Route 60) are currently on the plan and will remain as these projects have been allocated funding. The Board will meet again next month to sort out which roads from our respective districts we will add. If you have any suggestions as to road improvements and issues in District Four, please contact me.
• As noted last night, back in February, county staff, myself, representing Buckingham on the Commonwealth Regional Council (CRC), and Economic Development Administration (EDA) Representative Lauren Stuldreher, as part of her visit to see Planning District 14 in tandem with our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Review (CEDS), met in Buckingham. This approval of the CEDS, which I predict will occur in the coming weeks, will be a huge step forward for Buckingham and CRC members. In addition, a CEDS is a prerequisite for designation by EDA as an Economic Development District (EDD), which will allow us access to millions of dollars in money for economic development, infrastructure, small business development, innovation and entrepreneurship, workforce development, etc. 
• UPDATE: As you are aware, COVID-19 (Corona Virus) is spreading across the state and has been across the U.S. and worldwide. There’s a great deal of concern and alarm about this virus, but I’d offer that the best thing we can do (to avoid this AND the flu and other illnesses) is wash our hands, avoid large crowds, and limit contact with those who are ill or have medical issues. Today county staff put issued a notification email, text and call regarding COVID-19 and resources to empower our citizens to stay well. Please know our county staff are working with numerous agencies, namely the Virginia Department of Health, to ensure our safety and security. You can find more information about the state’s response, including the closure of Virginia’s public schools for two weeks, at www.buckinghamcountyva.org.
• UPDATE: The Planning Commission Meeting has been canceled for March 16th.

• The Board of Supervisors is entering the budget season for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. As you know, much of what we do hinges on the actions of the General Assembly and their biennial budget, which will be voted on Thursday. I have been following this very closely, and there are many advantages and disadvantages to what the Governor, House of Delegates, and Senate are proposing. I will continue to update you on this. The Board will meet with the School Board on March 18 at 5 p.m. in the county administration complex, which will be followed by our budget work session at 6 p.m. I encourage you to attend if you have interest in how your money (tax dollars) are being spent! As I said during the campaign, I am committed to keeping our tax rates low and growing our tax base with new businesses while keeping an eye on ALL expenditures.
• We had a handful of speakers during public comment, some of whom spoke about their opposition to the proposed ACP, support for Second Amendment Rights, and their disapproval of actions of the Virginia Legislature. If you ever wish to speak before the Board of Supervisors, please arrive to the meeting at least 5-7 minutes before 6 p.m. to sign up for comment in the lobby. I encourage public comment during our meetings.
• Ashley Shumaker was appointed to the Planning Commission to Represent District 2.
• We approved the release (which was already budgeted) of $50,000 to the Buckingham Volunteer Rescue Squad. This allocation was review was recommended by the Rescue Squad Committee, which includes county supervisors.

As always, should you have any questions or concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to call me or text me at 434-390-7023, email me at jmiles@buckinghamcounty.virginia.gov, or stop by and visit me. I’d love to hear from you.